Meet the athletes and coaches representing Team Tennessee in Swimming at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
Click here to donate and support Team Tennessee.
Click here to donate and support Team Tennessee.
Athletes
Gabby Chandler
Home: Nashville
Favorite pump-up song: TikTok music
Favorite pre-meet meal: Pizza
How do you celebrate a win: Go get pizza
Click here to donate and support Gabby.
Favorite pump-up song: TikTok music
Favorite pre-meet meal: Pizza
How do you celebrate a win: Go get pizza
Click here to donate and support Gabby.
Satchel Cundiff
Home: Southeast Region
Years as an athlete: 10
How do you celebrate a win: Eat with the team
Favorite pre-meet snack: Chocolate bar
How do you celebrate a win: Michael Phelps
Click here to donate and support Satchel.
Years as an athlete: 10
How do you celebrate a win: Eat with the team
Favorite pre-meet snack: Chocolate bar
How do you celebrate a win: Michael Phelps
Click here to donate and support Satchel.
Whitney Lackey
Home: Wilson County
Other sports: Basketball, bowling and bocce
Favorite pre-meet snack: Protein shake
How do you celebrate a win: Michael Phelps
Click here to donate and support Whitney.
Other sports: Basketball, bowling and bocce
Favorite pre-meet snack: Protein shake
How do you celebrate a win: Michael Phelps
Click here to donate and support Whitney.
Hawk Relford
Home: Rutherford County
Years as an athlete: 3
Favorite pump up song: Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins
Favorite pre-meet meal: Mashed potatoes or cheese pizza
How do you celebrate a win: Michael Phelps
Click here to support Hawk.
Years as an athlete: 3
Favorite pump up song: Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins
Favorite pre-meet meal: Mashed potatoes or cheese pizza
How do you celebrate a win: Michael Phelps
Click here to support Hawk.
Rachel Riefler
Home: Southeast Region
Years as an athlete: 12
Other sports: Bowling
Favorite pump up song: Golden from KPop Demon Hunters
Favorite pre-meet snack: Anything chocolate or sweet
How do you celebrate a win: Michael Phelps
Click here to donate and support Rachel.
Years as an athlete: 12
Other sports: Bowling
Favorite pump up song: Golden from KPop Demon Hunters
Favorite pre-meet snack: Anything chocolate or sweet
How do you celebrate a win: Michael Phelps
Click here to donate and support Rachel.
Anthony Walker
Home: Hawkins & Sullivan Counties
Years as an athlete: 3
Favorite musical artist: Adele
Favorite pre-meet meal: Macaroni and turkey
How do you celebrate a win: Michael Phelps
Click here to donate and support Anthony.
Years as an athlete: 3
Favorite musical artist: Adele
Favorite pre-meet meal: Macaroni and turkey
How do you celebrate a win: Michael Phelps
Click here to donate and support Anthony.
Edward Watson
Home: Memphis
Years as an athlete: 4
Other sports: Soccer, basketball, track and field and bowling
Favorite musical artist: Michael Jackson
Favorite pre-meet snack: Oranges and blueberries
How do you celebrate a win: Michael Phelps
Click here to donate and support Edward.
Years as an athlete: 4
Other sports: Soccer, basketball, track and field and bowling
Favorite musical artist: Michael Jackson
Favorite pre-meet snack: Oranges and blueberries
How do you celebrate a win: Michael Phelps
Click here to donate and support Edward.
Kenly Wood
Home: Williamson County
Years as an athlete: 8
Other sports: Basketball and cheerleading
Favorite pump up song: Takedown from KPop Demon Hunters
Favorite pre-meet meal: Chick-Fil-A
How do you celebrate a win: Simone Biles
Click here to donate and support Kenly.
Years as an athlete: 8
Other sports: Basketball and cheerleading
Favorite pump up song: Takedown from KPop Demon Hunters
Favorite pre-meet meal: Chick-Fil-A
How do you celebrate a win: Simone Biles
Click here to donate and support Kenly.
Coaches
Brooke Ellis
Home: Nashville
How do you motivate athletes: Reinforce that hard work in training has prepared them for this race and that there is nothing more to do than try their best and leave it all in the pool.
Favorite pre-game snack: Egg sammy
Favorite pump up song: We Are The Champions by Queen
Athlete you want to meet: Natalie Coughlin
How do you motivate athletes: Reinforce that hard work in training has prepared them for this race and that there is nothing more to do than try their best and leave it all in the pool.
Favorite pre-game snack: Egg sammy
Favorite pump up song: We Are The Champions by Queen
Athlete you want to meet: Natalie Coughlin
Rachel Varnell
Home: Hawkins & Sullivan Counties
Favorite part about coaching: I love working with the athletes, creating bonds and celebrating improvements.
Favorite pre-game snack: Bananas
Favorite pump up song: We Will Rock You by Queen
Athlete you want to meet: Chris Nikic
Favorite part about coaching: I love working with the athletes, creating bonds and celebrating improvements.
Favorite pre-game snack: Bananas
Favorite pump up song: We Will Rock You by Queen
Athlete you want to meet: Chris Nikic